05/07/2025
I have been creating 365 Mindful Moments, a series of free daily emails that land gently in your inbox, each one offering a mindful quote to inspire a more present way of living.
While researching for one of these reflections, I came across Etty Hillesum. Born in 1914, she was tragically executed in Auschwitz in 1943. In the midst of all she endured, I found a prayer she once wrote and I felt called to share it with you. To me, it captures the essence of mindful living and I do not believe you have to believe in God to relate, we can all promise ourselves this;
“I shall promise You one thing, God, just one very small thing. I shall never burden my today with cares about my tomorrow, although that takes some practice. Each day is sufficient unto itself. I shall try to help You, God, to stop my strength ebbing away, though I cannot vouch for it in advance.”
This, to me, is the very heart of living in the moment. x
Etty's words express several core aspects of mindfulness:
Presence – "I shall never burden my today with cares about my tomorrow…” speaks directly to being present in the now, rather than lost in anxiety about the future.
Acceptance and Practice – She acknowledges that it "takes some practice," which reflects the mindful attitude of patience and compassion toward oneself in the learning process.
Letting Go – Her willingness to surrender control over what she cannot guarantee ("though I cannot vouch for it in advance") shows a mindful release of certainty and an openness to what is.
Inner Awareness and Connection – Her gentle dialogue with the divine, and her desire not to let her strength ebb away, mirrors the mindful act of noticing and nurturing one’s inner resources.
If this resonates with you I would love to know, so please feel free to comment below.
Jo x
